Fastening-device for wrist-watch straps, bands, bracelets, and the like



March 212, 1932. Q KE$TENMAN 1,850,722

BANDS BRACELETS AND THE LIKE FASTENING DEVICE FOR WRIST WATCH STRAFS Filed 001: 25, .1929

i 1 srArE-s:

GHARLESHJKESTEN'MAN, OFLPROVIDENCE; RHODE'ISLANID, ASSIGNOR TO KESTEN'MAN Patented. Mar. 22, .1932 1:

eATEN-r; oFEIcEi BROS. MFG-. 00 OF PROVIDENCE, RHODEISLAND, A CORPORATION OF'RHODE ISLAND rnsrnumeennvron ron WRIST-WATCH ,s'rnnrs. BANDS,- BRACELETS, AND, THE LIKE Ap ucationma October 23,1929. Serial No. 401,870.

This invention relates to improvements in clasps, buckles'or similar fasteningdevices for adjustably securing the ends of wrist watch straps, bands, bracelets and the like.

A principal object of the invention is to provide a simple and efficient device for the purpose specified which is comprised of a minimum-number of parts adapted foreconomical manufacture from sheet-metal, and

which may be easily assembled without .the

use of solder, screws, rivets or other extra-f neousparts.

Another object of the invent on lS'tO provide a clasp of the type specified which-will eifecta' more secure joinder betweenthe ends of the strap, band or-the like without chance of their becoming accidentally unclasped or detached." V

Another object of the invention is to provideaclasp which isless bulky in size, neater in appearance and free from unsightly proj ections or' exposed sharp edges liable to catch in the garments or to scratch or injure the flesh of the wearer.

' Another object of the'invention is to providela clasp which may beeasily adjusted to meet the requirements of the wearer. and which may be readily unclasped to effect a convenient removal of the strapor band from the wrist. I

Further objects of-theimprovementare set forth in the following specificationwhich describes, a preferred form; of construction of the. invention as illustrated by the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

I Fig.1 1s a plan view'of theimproved clasp showing it as applied to use for connecting of the strap or band;

the ends of a strap, band or bracelet;

Fig. 2 is a side view of the same;

Fig. 3 is a-plan View of the clasp, shown partly in section to illustrate the operating parts of thedevice; 7

Fig. i is a longitudinal sectional view of the clasp taken on line4-4 of Fig. 1, showing its parts in closed relation and illustrating the manner of gripping or holding the free end Fig. 5, 'isa view similar to Fig. 4:, showing the parts inunclasped or open relation; and

Fig'.- 6 is a composite perspective view showing theseveral parts in disassembled relation,

The present improvements are directed Y particularlyto a clasp ofithat type in which one end of the strap or band is permanently attached while, the other free end is passed through the clasp from the opposite sideto be gripped at any desiredpointto adjust the length of the band or bracelet. In the presa ent, improvement-la ;more secure 'clasping' of the ends of thestrap or band is accomplished by bending the free end. of the strap across aifixed abutment and clamping it theretoby means of anangular-shaped clamp.

tial elements,a fixed member or base 4,-a

pivoted clamping-member 5 andarhinged top. orfcover 6; The main member 4, shown inxperspective viewin Fig. 6, is formed with azfiat base-plate 7 andopposite parallel side flanges 8 folded'upwardly therefrom. The a side flanges 8 are extended beyond the rearward edge of the base-plates7- andprovided with holes 9 at their ends. A-pin 10 extends across the space between the flanges 8 and passes through the holes 9 therein to'serve as a means for attaching the fixed end of the strap .or band 4:. I

Any suitable method may be employed for securingv the fixedend of the strap or band to the main 'clasp member 4 and, as herein shown, a bifurcated gripping-member 12'is provided for this purpose. -Thegrippingmember 12, shown in detail in Fig. 6,'is constructed fromsheet-metal folded on itself to provide two opposite jaws 14., and cut away through the fold to form a pair of opposite loops or hinge-ears 15 adapted'to receive the pin 10 whichpasses through the sides of-the clasp-member4i V The end of the woven wireband 3 is inserted between-the jaws 14 andv soldered thereto, or the edges of the jaws may be bent around tofrictionally'gripthe bandas illustrated in Fig. 5, to attach thelatter without the use of solder.

%of the plate 7 to deflect the strap there-.

The clamping-member 5, shown in perspective view in Fig. 6, is also constructed of sheet-metal, being formed with a fiat top which is shaped to a suitable configuration to serve as a finger-lever 16, and this portion of the clamp may be pierced or cut away to enhance its artistic appearance and render it light in weight. Bent downwardly at right- 7 angles to the top portion of the clamp is a flange or lip 17, the lower edge of which is adapted to engage against the strap or band 3 to clampit against the base-plate 70f the member 4 of the clasp. A portion of the metal of the flange 17 is continued rearwardly and bent around in a loop 18 which forms a bearing or hinge for pivotally mounting the clamp 5 on the cross-pin 10. It will be noted by reference to Fig. 3 that the hinge 18 fits within the sides of the hinge-ears on the gripping-member 12, the outer ends of said ears 15 being arranged to bear against the inner faces of the side flanges 8 on the main clasp-member 4 when the parts are in assembled relation. y

The top or cover 6 consists of a flat plate of sheet-metal having side flanges 20 folded downwardly therefrom and provided with holes 21 at one end thereof. The holes 21 receive the ends of the pin 10 which project through the sides 8 of the member 4 and are headed over as shown in Fig. 3 to hold the parts in assembled relation. The forward edge of thecover 6 preferably hasa lip or projection 22 to adapt the finger-nail to be inserted thereunder to lift the cover, and the top of the cover may be suitably embellished with engraving, pierced to provide an ornamental design, suitably enameled in colors or set with brilliants. At the forward end of the cover 6 its side flanges 20 are indented on the outside to form inwardly projecting protuberances 24, see Fig. 3, which sna into apertures in the side flanges 8 of t e'main clasp-member 4 to hold the cover closed. The apertures 25 are preferably elongated to insure that the protuberances 24 will register therewith when the cover is closed down on the clasp.

It is to be particularly noted that the clamp 5 is pivoted to the main clasp-member 4 in such position that the bottom edge of its angular flange 17 will align with the baseplate 7 when the clamp is in closed position, whereby it cooperates with the rearward edge around to form a sharp bend or bight therein which effects a secure clamping action. 7

I As above explained, the clamping action is effected by bending the strap orband 3 at substantially right-angles around the edge I a preferred embodiment of the clasp, it is to 26 of the base-plate 7 of the main clasp-member 4. a The 'strap is first adjusted to the wearers Wrist by sliding its free end through the clasp to the desired position. The cover 6 is then closed down until the protuberances on its sides snap into the detent apertures 25 in the sides of the member 4. During this the clasp. A very secure hold on the strap is thus efl'ected which will resist a longitudinal ull of considerable strength.

hen it is desired to remove the strap from the wrist it is only necessary to insert the finger-nail under the lip 22 on the cover 6 to lift the latter, the detent protuberances 24 being readily released to allow the cover to swing upwardly; After the cover 6 has been raised the clamp member 4 may be swung upwardly by inserting the finger-nail under its forward portion 16 whereby to swing the clamping lip 17 away from the abutment or edge 26 as shown in, Fig. 5 of the drawings. lVith the clamp thusreleased the end of the strap or band 3 is free to' slide through the clasp to extend the length of the bracelet to allow it to be slipped over the wrist or to detach the ends where the strap is used in a single length instead of looped double.

It will be observe that the present improvement provides an, extremely simple and efficient device for the purpose specified with the parts constructed from sheet-metal stampings to render them economical to manufacture. The various elements of the device may be assembled without the use of solder, screws or rivets, thus eliminating all extraneous parts liable to become loose and cause shackly joints. The mechanical parts ofthe clasp are entirely hidden from view when the cover 6 is closed, and this element may be suitably embossed, engraved, pierced or otherwise ornamented to enhance the artistic appearance of the whole article.

A particular feature of the improvement consists in deflecting the band or strap at right-angles to its normal plane at'the clamping point whereby to secure a more positive grip thereon to prevent its accidental or unwarranted release. This feature constitutes an improvement over previous devices of the present type in which the strap is merely clamped down against a flat surface without bending it across an abutment. Moreover, through this provision the present improved clasp is adapted for use with wrist-watch straps, bands or bracelets of fabric, leather or wire mesh with equal efficiency.

While I have herein shown and described be understood that various modifications may he madein the form and structure of the parts of the device without "departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

Therefore, without limitation in thisrespect, I claim:

1; In a device of the type specified, the combination of a clasp-member Comprising a substantially fiat base-plate having sides bent upwardly therefrom and projecting beyond its, rearward edge, means for fixedly securing one end of astrap, band or bracelet to the base-plate with its opposite end adapted to draw thereacross, an angular-shaped clamp pivoted between the sides of the baseplate and formed with a portion adapted to be turned down into position at right-angles to the plane of the base-plate in opposite relation to its'edge whereby it will act onthat portion of the. strap drawn across the baseplate to bend it over the edge thereof and bind it thereagainst to secure the ends of the strap together, and a cover hinged on the pivotal axis of the olampto adapt it to close down across the top of the latter to hold the thereacross, a clamp pivoted to the base-plate clamp in closed position and to conceal it from view. I I

2. In a device of the type specified, the combination of a clasp-member having a base-plate, means for fixedly attaching one end of a strap, band or bracelet to said base-c,

plate with the opposite end adapted to slide and having a finger-piece extending forwardly from its pivot, and a clamping portionarranged eccentric to its pivotal axis to adapt it to impinge against that portion of the strap drawn through the claspto cause the strap to be bent over the edge of the baseplate of said clasp-member and clamped thereagainst,;a cover pivoted to the base-plate V and adapted to close down across its top to cover and conceal the clamp, and means for latching the cover'inclosed position.

3. In adevice of the type specified, the combination of a main clasp-member having a base-plate andopposite parallel sides, a clamp pivoted to the sides of said base-plate and having a finger-piece extending forwardly from its pivot and a lip projecting at rightangles thereto to adapt it to be swung down against a strap, band or bracelet I passed through the clasp to clamp the strap against the base-plate, a cover hinged onthe pivot of the clamp and having side-flanges adapted to close down overthe sides of the base-plate,

. and detent-means for holding said cover in closed position with. the clamp concealed therebeneath.

4:. In a .deviceofthe type specified, the combination of a clasp-member having a relatively flat base-plate and opposite parallel sides projecting upwardly therefrom and extended beyond its rearward edge, a pin ex-v tending between the sides of saidbase-plate,

a member swiveled on said pin and adapted forapermanent attachment to the end of a strap, band or loracelet, an angular'clamping member also pivoted on the pin and have, 

